Young woman refused smear test dies from cervical cancer
- 13.01.2017
- EmmaArnold
- Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence, Clinical-negligence
A young woman has died from cervical cancer after doctors told her she was too young to be tested.
Amber Cliff, aged 25, passed away after years of symptoms which she explained to her doctors including bleeding and abdominal pains.
However, Amber was told she was too young at the time to have a cervical screening (smear) test which tests for the disease.
Hannah Bottomley, clinical negligence solicitor at PotterReesDolan, said:
This tragic case has highlighted the importance of something we often hear our independent medical experts repeating time and time again, it is vital that a full history of symptoms is taken and due consideration given to those symptoms in addition to known aspects of individual conditions.
Sadly, it would appear that Amber's age prevented her from being sent for a standard smear and whilst I am unclear of the details of this particular case, it would seem that due consideration was not given to her symptoms leading to a late diagnosis of cervical cancer which tragically proved fatal.
My sympathies go out to Amber’s family but I hope lessons can be learnt through their brave efforts to raise awareness and other deaths are prevented.
Amber's family told the Victoria Derbyshire programme how she had complained of symptoms for years but she wasn't listened to.
When she was finally allowed to be tested at 21, it was found she had the disease which sadly led to her death.
If there hadn't been a delay in diagnosis then she would have been treated earlier which could have saved her life.
Her brother Josh told the programme:
Cancer doesn't know an age - it's not about numbers and age. It's not like when you become 25 cancer can suddenly enter your body. This is the issue we're trying to raise.
Hannah Bottomley is a clinical negligence solicitor with PotterReesDolan. Should you have any queries about clinical negligence issues or indeed any other aspect of this article and wish to speak to Hannah or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888 or email Hannah.